The Sufferings of Christ for Our Salvation

Verse 1

Save me, O God, the swelling floods break in upon my soul; I sink, and sorrows o'er my head like mighty waters roll. I cry till all my voice be gone; in tears I waste the day: my God, behold my longing eyes, and shorten Thy delay.

Verse 2

They hate my soul without a cause, and still their number grows more than the hairs around my head, and mighty are my foes. 'Twas then I paid that dreadful debt that men could never pay, and gave those honors to Thy law which sinners took away.

Verse 3

Thus in the great Messiah's name the royal prophet mourns; thus He awakes our hearts to grief, and gives us joy by turns. Now shall the saints rejoice, and find salvation in Thy name for I have borne their heavy load of sorrow, pain, and shame.

Verse 4

Grief, like a garment, clothed me round, and sackcloth was my dress, while I procured for naked souls a robe of righteousness. Amongst my brethren and the Jews I like a stranger stood, and bore their vile reproach to bring the Gentiles near to God.

Verse 5

I came in sinful mortals' stead to do my Father's will; yet when I cleansed my Father's house, they scandalized my zeal. My fasting, and my holy groans were made the drunkard's song; but God from His celestial throne heard my complaining tongue.

Verse 6

He saved me from the dreadful deep, nor let my soul be drowned; He raised and fixed my sinking feet on well established ground. 'Twas in a most accepted hour my prayer arose on high, and for my sake my God shall hear the dying sinner's cry.